Bridge: September 24, 2013

Cy the Cynic says that guessing is cheap; guessing wrong is expensive. That's surely true at a vulnerable grand slam.

Today's East preempted in hearts, and when South overcalled three spades with a lightish hand, he found himself catapulted into seven spades.

North had his bid, but the contract depended on a guess for the queen of clubs. When West led a heart, South pitched a club on the ace, drew trumps and guessed to lead the ace and a second club. Alas, West discarded, and down South went.

South's play cost 2,310 points. Was it a misguess?

DISTRIBUTION

Declarer needs no guesswork. Before committing himself in clubs, he can get a count of East-West's distribution. After South draws trumps, he can take the A-K of diamonds, ruff a heart and ruff a diamond in dummy. When East discards, South knows East had one trump, two diamonds and not more than seven hearts, hence at least three clubs.

So South can confidently lead a club to the king and next let the jack ride.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ K J 6 2 ♥ A 5 3 ♦ A K ♣ K J 10 4. The dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. You double, the next player jumps to three diamonds and two passes follow. What do you say?

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ANSWER: Your opponent's three diamonds is preemptive and shows a weak, shapely hand. If he had a good hand, he could have redoubled. Double again, for takeout. You have enough strength to fight for the partscore and may have a game if partner holds Q 10 8 7 3, 7 6, 7 6, Q 8 7 6.